Traditionally, every 3rd of November, while celebrating the national holiday of Culture Day, the All Japan Kendo Championship is held at Nippon Budokan. This temple of Budo which translates as “Japan Martial Arts Hall” was build in 1964 in Tokio and is annually hosting national championships of Kendo, Judo, Karate, Kyudo, Naginata etc.

The first All Japan Kendo Championship was held in 1953. To enter this elite competition and fight for the prestigious title, competitors must pass qualification on the prefectural level first. Tokio has 3 representatives, larger prefectures 2 while smaller ones 1. 64 competitors all together from 47 prefectures.

In this year’s finals between Ryoichi Uchimura (Tokio) and Daiki Kiwada (Osaka), Kiwada senshu won his first AJKC title with a kote ippon!